Japan: 1/06

Feature Article from Hemmings Sports & Exotic Car

Well, another Tokyo Motor Show has come and gone-the biennial event took place this past October-and once again, we are left with some tantalizing production prospects and a bunch of stuff that has us scratching our heads. Our favorites representing both ends of the spectrum are on this page.
Nissan GT-R
The GT-R was the undisputed hit of the show, despite the fact that this was not a running vehicle, and precious little news other than its mere existence was forthcoming. The styling you see here is said to be more than three-quarters production-ready; we would expect some less dramatic touches around the nose and front fenders but few other changes. A rear-biased all-wheel-drive system will be part of the package, but mechanically, little else is known: The legendary "Godzilla" Skyline may dictate that the GT-R remain a six-banger-though there are rumors of a version of a turbocharged 4.5L V-8. Power targets are said to be in the 400hp range, but they could climb far higher. We're also not sure whether the GT-R will be a Nissan or an Infiniti; the thought of a $70,000 Nissan has created some internal debate over whose dealerships it will end up in. The new GT-R will share no parts with the Skyline platform from which the nameplate was spawned, and as such, will not be called Skyline. And yes, it will be coming to the U.S.
Daihatsu UFE-III
The third in Daihatsu's continuing series of Ultra Fuel Economy cars, the III is a super-streamlined three-seater with a central driving position and a drag coefficient of just 0.17. The 660cc, three-cylinder hybrid driveline has been seen before (in 2003's UFE-II), but gas mileage now tops 72 kilometers per liter or-are you sitting down?-about 203 miles per gallon.
Mitsubishi Concept X
Most relevant of the Mitsubishi concepts was the Concept X, which is as close as we're going to see right now to the tenth iteration of the Lancer Evolution. The turbocharged inline-four puts out 300hp and will doubtless be every bit the monster the current Evo is; styling is purposely toned down to attract a slightly broader market. Watch for something real close to this in 2007.
Honda W.O.W.
Think dogs riding in pickup trucks is just a hillbilly thing? Guess again. The W.O.W. isn't about mechanical specs, because finally there is a car that your pets can enjoy. The W.O.W. (Wide Open-Hearted Wagon) has a space in the dashboard for you to put your dog. We are not making this up. The photo of a slightly freaked-out wiener-dog stuffed into a cupboard under the dashboard is a sight to behold. (An integral crate for larger dogs is lodged in back.) The idea is for owners to interact with their dogs as they drive, thereby relieving drivers of the burden of paying attention to the road. Check back in two years for Honda's sequel, the Toonces, where your pet will actually be able to drive. But don't take us litter-ally.
Suzuki LC
Only in Japan would something this overtly adorable be given serious attention. Suzuki's back-to-basics LC (apparently short for, ahem, "Life Creator") runs a Kei-class 660cc three-cylinder through a four-speed automatic transaxle. From the single gauge (a speedometer) on the dash to the plaid interior, this deeply retro two-seater could be a hit with the kids. Surely we're not the only ones who could see Hello Kitty driving one of these to go visit Batz-Maru?
Lexus LF-A
Toyota is keen to be the first Japanese maker to enter the front-engine supercar field, and the Lexus-badged LF-A may be the car to do it: A 5.0-liter V-10 is said to put out in excess of 500hp. A 2000GT for the new millennium?

This article originally appeared in the January, 2006 issue of Hemmings Sports & Exotic Car.